Keep an eye on small-cap, Vera Therapeutics (VERA).
According to Cowen analyst Ritu Baral, the VERA stock could pop 35% to 40% following an expected January 2023 release of Phase 2 data on atacicept for IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Also, as noted by Seeking Alpha, the analyst “gives a 50-50 chance that the phase 2b Origin trial of atacicept will show a statistically significant 40%-45% placebo-adjusted proteinuria reduction in the 150mg dose. A best-case outcome of 50% reduction is given a 1-in-4 chance.”
According to a company press release, “We continued to make progress advancing our late-stage clinical pipeline of atacicept and MAU868,” said Marshall Fordyce, M.D., Founder and CEO. “We were pleased to share new data supporting the disease modifying mechanism of action of atacicept. Atacicept targets B-cells, and we have now shown that it reduces the first three hits of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) pathogenesis – serum galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), anti-Gd-IgA1, and now immune complex levels.”
“Data from the ORIGIN trial are expected to support the initiation of a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of atacicept in 2023. IgAN is a common cause of kidney failure and there is a high unmet medical need for treatment of IgAN globally.”
Shares of VERA last traded at $19.35.